Shoe heel reenforcement



Feb. 6, 1923. IALMSL A. J. GIFFORD. SHOE HEEL REENFORCEMENT, FlLED JULY 26A 1921,

,f @fior/mis Application filed July 2S,

lle it lrnovfn that l, .lineair J. t; ono, a .'tizeu` oit tne llnited l resi o' at fi "eivsbuiy in the counn; o" lVorcester State oit llalassacl'iusctts;have invented a n iv and useful Shoe-Ecol leeniorceinent, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the reeniorce nient ot a Wooden shoe heel, and the principal object thereof is to provide a sirnple and inexpensive strengthening means, which can be applied easily, and Will act to hold itselt vin position and not have tendency to become loosened.

The invention is capable of application to Wooden shoe heels of any kind, but is especially adapted for the high or French style.

Reference is to be had to the accompanyino` drawings, in which` l is longitudinal central sectional view of a -Wooden shoe heel with a preferred embodiment of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a transverse longitudinal sectional view of the saine on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a view of the strengthening Wire or staple before its application to the heel.

The lower narrow part of the ordinary high or French heel is apt to brealr on account of its iorrn and the rough usage to Which it is subjected, and especially on account of the 'tact that, as made, the grain of the Wood runs crosswise at this point, so that a slight crack is lilrely quickly to become a cross split in use. rThis invention is designed to provide a practical forni ot neetallic strengthening device for such a heel.

llhe invention involves the provision of a pair of longitudinal passages lO through the heel l2, preferably diverging from each other toward the bottom, but located in a single plane. This plane is'located in the center of the heel substantially as indicated in Fig. l. l prefer to have the two passages extend through the heel into an open space 1l near the top.

The strengthening piece consists of a length of Wire 13 which is bent at the center and folded back upon itself to form it into the shape of a staple. rlhe wire preferably is kept at the saine diameter in size throughout its length and, after the holes 10 are 7 has parallel spaced a short distance apart. lllhen 'forced into the passage lO the free. ends of these legs are forced apart and the natural resiliency oi: the wire Will tend to bring them together so that they Qrip the Wood lietivcen the tivo pas. 'liis tends to hold the 6 staple in place and avoids all necessity of providingany special provisions, such as heads on the bottoni ends ot the Wire or irregularities on the surfaces where they are embedded in the Wood. Furthermore, there is no dancer of the Wire coiningn out or either one of the strengthening legs becoming' loosened, or failing' to perform its function. The Wire entends across the Igrain of the heel as it is ordinarily made, and prevents the crackingof the heel across it in t ie direction of its grain.

It will loe noted that each of the L this staple in lt is sticnrftheier that it is held in position by the llc it is bent over at the top and entends down into the heel on the other side, no matter it the second does not extend clear through to the bottom. rllhe 'fact that the staple originally made with its tvvo parts parallel and is forced into the divercjino' passages is relied upon as stated above for securely holding' the device in place.

ln case the heel does crack across the Wire lees will hold it on and also prevent the bottom from turning'. This is due to the fact that the two legs are integral, resilient, and divergent.

The simplicity with which the device can be made and especially with Which it can he put in place. is an important feature et this invention. rlhe tact that only one Wire is used so that the two strengthening; bars are provided with only one handlingf and no danger of either part being displaced during' its introduction in place, or after it is located in position, is also an important practical consideration.-

Although l have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention, l: ain aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein 'by any person skilled in the art Without denarting from the scope of the invention expressed in the claims.

Therefore, l do not wish to be limited to all the details o1c construction herein shown and described, but what l do claim is l. As an article of manufacture, a Wooden shoe heel having a single Wire extending through it vertically, said Wire having two legs connected together between the top and bottoni of the heel, for strengthening the heel.

2. es an article or manufacture, a Wooden shoe heel having` a Wire in the form of a staple driven in from the top and extending along it vertically across the grain for strengthening it.

3. As an article of manufacture, a Wooden shoe heel having a Wire extending through it for strengthening purposes, and provided with an integral end bent over at the top and extending down into the heel for help ing to hold it in position.

4C. As an article of manufacture, a Wooden shoe heel having a pair of passages extending substantially vertically therein out diverging from each other toward the bottom, anda Wire bent to staple form With parallel legs `forced into` said passage so that the natural resiliency of the Wire Will tend to hold it in position when forced to assume the relative position due to the diverging passages.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto affixed my signature.

ALBERT J. GI-FFORD. 

